1
as in backdrop
the physical conditions or features that form the setting against which something is viewed they got married on a mountain top with the sunset as background

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2
as in setting
the place and time in which the action for a portion of a dramatic work (as a movie) is set the background of that movie is the World War II era

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How is the word background distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of background are environment, milieu, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

Where would environment be a reasonable alternative to background?

While the synonyms environment and background are close in meaning, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

When is it sensible to use milieu instead of background?

The synonyms milieu and background are sometimes interchangeable, but milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

In what contexts can mise-en-scène take the place of background?

Although the words mise-en-scène and background have much in common, mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

When could setting be used to replace background?

The meanings of setting and background largely overlap; however, setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of background Those background assumptions limit the inherent powers of federal courts under the Constitution. The Editors, National Review, 27 June 2025 Curran shared a behind-the-scenes video of Richie’s French bob on his Instagram account, where the duo shared some background on the new look. Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 27 June 2025 The first Tron had played out as a series of face-offs featuring glowing figures against a black background, replicating the blank environment of an arcade screen. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025 While census participants are asked about their racial and ethnic background, the agency never asks about residency status. Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for background
Recent Examples of Synonyms for background
Noun
  • The birds shared a common interest: small, succulent fruits whose deep red and purple hues stood out against the backdrop of green, elliptical leaves.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 June 2025
  • Berger said the six-episode series owed its Ivory Coast backdrop to relationships built during his first trip to Africa at last year’s November edition of SICA.
    Essie Assibu, Variety, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The evidence for how to have safe and effective abortions outside the clinical setting was waiting for them.
    Liana Simstrom, NPR, 22 June 2025
  • By 1913 Henry Ford’s moving-belt assembly line cut build time to 93 minutes, and cheap Texas oil kept the tank full, turning personal mobility from luxury to the default setting.
    Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Officers were called by a neighbor who saw Perez holding a knife and arrived at the scene to subdue him but used deadly force instead of non-violent means of intervention.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • The Equinox driver stayed at the scene, and both she and Martinez were transported by EMS to Jacob Medical Center, where Martinez died from severe internal injuries.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Background.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/background. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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